Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Autumnal Sunshine

"I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

We have all been working really hard at preparing for winter this year (as is the case every year)...my husband especially! The children and I definitely put in some muscle work and sweat but Chris is really amazing. He cuts, splits (by hand...although we do have a splitter) and even helps the kids and I stack! :) You should see him swinging the ax. He is a *powerhouse*! In case you're wondering...yes, after 17 years I *still* smile just thinking about him!

Haha....I think I caught Jaxson mid-yawn in this photo....

I just love the changing leaves. The colors are so vibrant and beautiful and point so obviously to our Creator! The only negative thing about fall is that it means winter is coming. I don't hate snow...I just don't like when it stays too long! Ha!

I am glad to be able to share that the temperatures have finally made fall actually *feel* like fall in PA! It's been in the 60's. Chilly....but with the sun out, it has been absolutely lovely! We have been enjoying some beautiful days and my heart sings praise to the Lord for them!

We've been getting other yard work done as well...mowing, raking, prepping things for winter etc. :)

Our days are full...not overly busy to be stressful....but we are kept on our toes with the children's schoolwork and tending to housework and chores. The boys are still taking music lessons ~ X for banjo and Jaxson the guitar. Madelyn has decided to take a break from lessons and work on things on her own as she feels she has reached a point that she can do that!

I am still teaching cycling class at our local Y and trying to be wise with my eating....but I must admit I need to buckle down a bit more. I need to log my food. Using MyFitnessPal is how I lost weight previously.....logging all that I ate. When I stop doing that, I don't do as well. I need to jump on the bandwagon again.

Chris has been working hard....working during the day and then gathering wood for us at night ~ only coming home to have supper once it is dark. He is such a good man. I am so thankful for him. He takes such good care of us! I try to take good care of him when he is home....making sure he comes home to a clean and tidy home, clean laundry (put away), a good meal for his belly and lots of love and affection!

I am so glad to serve my husband and honestly, I see so much feminist garbage on the web (and even in common women's thinking as it has been hammered to them all their lives even if not directly at home) that it frustrates me immensely! I truly cannot understand *any* man desiring to marry a feminist. They have no desire to serve their husband. They want to be the leader of their homes... OK....I need to stop as that is for another post entirely. One I hope to do sometime soon (if I can collect my thoughts enough!). Sometimes I start and my fingers just fly into a rampage of words! Ha!

I just wanted to share this quick post about the beautiful sunshine this autumn and what we have been up to lately! I hope your week has been joy-filled and Spirit-led.

Sisters in Christ ~ may I share this with you (emphasis mine):

Romans 5:6-8

Forwhile we were still weak, at the right timeChrist died for the ungodly.For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—butGod shows his love for us in thatwhile we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there islaid up for methe crown of righteousness, which the Lord,the righteous judge, will award to me onthat Day, and not only to me but also to allwho have loved his appearing.

Isn't that absolutely glorious!? What a God we serve! How He deserves all of our praise and worship for what He has done for us....and continues to do! That He did ALL for us and yet gives US a crown of righteousness! Praise Him!

If you are not a Sister in Christ....let's talk! I would love to share the glorious riches of His grace with you! My email address is in my blogger profile as well as to the left in my sidebar! I would love to talk with you! Grace to each of you and peace be multiplied,
Katy

56 comments:

I just read that verse today in Romans during my devotions. For some reason it was powerful and made me tear up. And now you are refrencing it! How neat! Thank you for the reminder to take good care of my hard working hubby. He has been down lately about his job and other life situations, men have a lot of stress taking care of their families.

I love this post. The way you love and care for your husband and the way he loves and cares for you. That is how it should be. I feel like that is one of the ways we honor God. Enjoy your day and God bless.

It's easy to judge other women; when one hasn't walked in their shoes.Instead of condemning women; maybe one should ask " Why" and pray for them.Maybe a woman didn't have a father figure growing up. Maybe all she knew was abuse, and abandonment from the one who should had been there for her. Sometimes ONE/woman can do all that is right in the eyes of the Lord and still suffer at the hands of a Man.Not every story is picture perfect. Every one has a free will to choose to make right or wrong choices. Another should not assume and blame the woman for what a man chooses to do. All one can do is pray, and leave it in God's hands. With Blessings,

I was referring to your remark " I see so much feminist garbage on the web (and even in common women's thinking as it has been hammered to them all their lives even if not directly at home) that it frustrates me immensely! I truly cannot understand *any* man desiring to marry a feminist. They have no desire to serve their husband. They want to be the leader of their homes... OK....I need to stop as that is for another post entirely. One I hope to do sometime soon (if I can collect my thoughts enough!). Sometimes I start and my fingers just fly into a rampage of words! Many women may have to work outside the home for one reason or another. It doesn't mean she is a feminist or doesn't take care of her family. Women can sometimes be other women's worst enemies; by judging, and condemning.Instead of trying to understand where it's coming from. Maybe the so called feminist had to learn earlier on how to survive without the love and protection of a male figure which seems to become a life cycle. The point is one shouldn't judge/condemn another if you don't know the situation. I know the Lord, and he's been my Husband through many trials. With that...No harm intended. Not looking to be bashed by a bunch of perfect christian women that pretend to live in their perfect homes. Blessings,

In no way did I describe just what I was referring to...as I said that would be a whole different post. Feminism has to do with selfish women who focus on themselves, their rights, their wants and needs being fulfilled. I never made any reference to women working outside the home nor did I say a feminist doesn't take care of her family. I am not judging. You are inferring what you *think* I am saying rather than what I actually said. All I made were truthful comments that feminists do not desire to serve their husbands and they *do* have a desire to be leaders of their own homes. That is *all* I said. I did not elaborate further. To accuse me of judging is quite unkind when I said nothing about abuse, or women working outside the home. And I stand by my comment...I don't know how a man would want to marry a feminist....she stands for her own rights (above his), has no desire to care for him, and is not submissive. A feminist who, as you say "may have had to learn without a male figure..." etc is still wrong if she stands in the role that God designed for man. I am not speaking of women who do not have the "feminist" agenda in their hearts. I am strictly speaking of the women who are self-focused and are concerned about making women #1. You assumed much from a couple simple sentences where none of that was said. Please be careful not to put words where there are none.

I am familiar with her blog. I stopped reading it because of the constant judgement. Now you seem to be heading in that direction with your comments. "I need to stop as that is for another post entirely. One I hope to do sometime soon (if I can collect my thoughts enough!). Sometimes I start and my fingers just fly into a rampage of words! Ha!" The bible says not to judge. It appears to be a christian bashing movement going on with all the perfect christian wife's club. I'm sure that's why you let my anonymous go through. I had posted prior with positive comments and you wouldn't post; cause it said anonymous. Thank you "Roses around the door" blog for your kind understanding. No need to keep rehashing. Blessings 2U Katy,

Anon ~ I always post all comments...even anon ones! I don't know which ones you mean that I didn't post? THe only comments I don't publish are spam ones! I'm sorry if I didn't publish something you wrote. I truly have no idea what you are talking about!

If you are familiar with my blog you would truly know that I never claim to be anything good. I share my struggles and failures a lot! To be honest, your comments are what make me want to close up shop and stop blogging. You write that I am saying things that I am not. If I am being misunderstood or not glorifying the Lord on my blog...then I shouldn't be blogging.

It is definitely not a Christian bashing going on though...we are to be discerning and the Bible does speak about right and wrong. There is nothing wrong with speaking truth. Feminists are so off on so many things. Pointing that out, biblically, is *not* wrong. It is also not my judgment if it is biblical.

I am actually quite surprised at how you are attacking me. I hadn't even explained my positioning. The couple thoughts I mentioned were true about feminists. I never said anything at all about women working, abusive relationships, or anything judgmental. It would just help me if you could explain simply by what I said (not what you infer) what was judgmental and wrong? Ask a true feminist and they will agree with me. They will not submit to a husband and they desire to lead their homes. How am I judging them by saying that? They are facts. God designed the woman to be submissive to her husband and for him to lead the home. Those are also facts. For a woman to not live as the Lord has put forth in His word is blasphemy. I'm not just saying all this flippantly. It is serious stuff.

And to add to the above...I don't know any perfect Christian women pretending to live in perfect Christian homes! We are all terribly faulty women...striving to honor our Lord, love our families and have servant hearts. None of us has it all together and I don't see any claims that we do. I know not from me! If you want a list of my faults ~ ask me. I'll do a whole post about if you want. it would be a terribly long list. Praise God for Jesus and despite my failings, I am washed in the blood! He is my only hope! I feel, anon, that you have anger in your heart towards your sisters in Christ. That reflects a judgmental spirit itself. Please, please know that I strive to honor the Lord but am SO far from perfect. I have cried *often* for my failings...bawled actually. I definitely do not stand here in perfection nor judgment. But there are *wrong* behaviors that should be called out and it is not sinful nor judgmental to do so.

" I feel, anon, that you have anger in your heart towards your sisters in Christ. That reflects a judgmental spirit itself." You're not getting the point of my comment." I need to stop as that is for another post entirely. One I hope to do sometime soon (if I can collect my thoughts enough!). Sometimes I start and my fingers just fly into a rampage of words! Ha!" I feel, Katy that you have anger in your heart towards certain women. That reflects a judgmental spirit itself. With that...I will no longer engage in any more comments regarding this issue; out of respect for you, and your blog. Please keep Laura from " Harvest Lane Cottage blogger in prayer as she is having surgery Fri Oct 20th. Thank you! With Blessings.

Another lovely post Katy, but I do understand what Anonymous is saying ( I think), you are married to a good man, I am also married to a good man who provides and cares for us ( thankfully). What about the woman who has to be the driving force for her family for many many reasons, I am not a feminist but I also know that I am not in any position to judge others or be judged myself. Prayers to us all, we all need them, God Bless us all. xx

There is a difference between a feminist and a women who just has to push to keep her family afloat...or who has to be the breadwinner for certain reasons. That lady isn't a feminist...she is working hard to do the best she can. Feminists have an attitude of they are "better than men" and can do anything a man can do....if not more. Feminism is an attitude. I never said anything about anything but that. I encourage you to look into Lori Alexander's blog: The Transformed Wife. She does posts daily and addresses things such as this! :)

Dear Katy, thank you for your reply. I know exactly what a Feminist is and I need not read another person's views to explain this to me. In fact I feel that it is none of my business how another woman see's men or their views on what a wife should be, as, we all answer to the Lord singularly and not as a pack in our relationship with him. I am at the moment reading " Mrs Sharon White's" books and in her writings its about how SHE herself runs her home and her relationship with the Lord, her husband and her children. I would be very sad if you stopped blogging as at times you have been a great inspiration to myself and I am in no doubt others :) I do have to say and this is in no way any criticism to you, I have often wondered why there are only certain blogs you comment on and you do not comment on others even though they regularly leave you comments, myself being one of them. I wish you a joyful day full of peace and harmony as I do all women who wish for this themselves. God Bless Jackie x

I visit and read a couple blogs and comment from time to time....but honestly, I do not read every blog of everyone who comments here. I do not do that out of unkindness....but rather just don't spend a lot of time reading blogs.

I love the fall Katy and I totally agree with you. I too happily serve my husband. I used to in my young days believe feminist views. There are even "Christian" feminists out there who don't believe in Biblical submission. I avoid them like the plague! Anyway, thank you for being bold and speaking on this. Bless your day!

Dear Katy Please do not stop blogging. this is your blog and you have a right to your views. I happen to agree with most of them I happily serve my husband and appreciate all his hard word that he does to provide for his family. I'm sorry this post went way off because I really just wanted to say thank you for sharing such lovely photos of the fall foliage. and wow that's a lot of wood do you ever run out or is this exactly what you need to get you though the winter? I hope you have a great week.

HI Row! :) Thank you for your kind words! :) Sometimes we run out of wood and have to split more in the winter. That isn't fun at all! Sometimes we have a little left at the end of winter. It all just truly depends on the kind of winter we have....if it is super cold, we go through more wood. :) I hope you have a lovely week as well! :)

Dear Katy,I do enjoy reading your blog, and seeing how you are blessed of the Lord. Full-time is a wonderful time to be outside preparing for more time inside. Here in the Yukon we have come to winter once again and it's nice to know we're ready for it. I have been reading some of the comments and just want to encourage you to continue to live out your calling of being a keeper at home as the Lord has commanded in scripture. You are very right...it's an attitude, a whole perspective that is "off" when one is feministic. I can say that from experience...and by the grace of the Lord, He has corrected me. I have not always been blessed to be a full time homemaker, but in God's time He brought me home. I've seen both ends of the issue, and know that feminism is in direct opposition to what the Lord would have for women. May the Lord bless your home and your blog, and your day!

Katy, lovely post, as always. I find your blog very inspiring...and honest. It is lovely for what it is...and is not. Keep the faith, the inspiration and sharing with us. I can have a crazy, mixed up day but find it inspiring to read a snippet of your well ordered blog and feel my day starting to fall into better "place". ALso, what is that little house in your backyard with the smokestack? Have always wondered! Thanks, Paige (P.S.- I have to sign in as "anonymous" for some reason, but this is me -- Paige)

Thank you for your words!! That object in question is our outdoor woodstove! We light a fire in it, fill it will wood and it heats water which is in a pipe under the ground and circulates into our house. Then it goes by a fan (sort of...I'm not exactly 100% sure how it all works) that blows the heat from the water into our house. :) It works quite well! It kinda stinks to have to go out in the cold to load it up (especially when the fire goes out and we have trouble getting it relit) but it is such a blessing! Our gas bill is so low now. We basically heat our home with a little cost of electric which makes it all work and then our hard work of cutting/splitting/stacking all the wood! We all help with it but Chris definitely does the most! :) I hope that makes sense!!

OK, thanks! That truly is homesteading! What a great idea. Guess we learn something new everyday. Sothat is why it is so important to split all that wood in advance...ok,makes perfect sense now. I just thought you wanted all that wood for cozy fireplaces or an inside wood stove in the winter - LOL! But it is a necessity to split all that wood. We just changed over our radiator system to gas -- our big expense of the year. It is warmer, but I am always a little leery of a gas system in the basement. Happy Fall to you! Paige

I always love to read your blog don't stop because of someone's discouraging words . They obviously have some deep rooted issues that need to be resolved in their heart ❤️ and sometimes women build walls around themselves because they haven't surrendered to God and payed It at his feet someone who hurt them deeply in their life so their thinking becomes warped . Unforgiveness is a terrible thing it's like cancer it will destroy you . God never designed women to be the leader of a home or take on a role God designed for a man. My first husband was a drug addict and abusive, I had two small children at the time .. for years I struggled but fast forward I stayed a Christian took my kids to church even when it was hard and stayed faithful to Jesus .. my first marriage fell in a heap but God gave me a wonderful faithful husband who adores me and my children and best of all he is American 😂 ( I'm an Aussie)

You are a Godly woman and wonderful example probably to many younger women in your church ! Your children are beautiful and your a great example of proverbs 31 ! Keep blogging you encourage me

The anonymous comment er in question didn't disagree with Katy that women shouldn't lead in their marriage. Rather commenting about Katy's tone toward feminists. As a Titus 2 older woman; we should lead by example.Judging another will not conform one.1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 is a perfect example of how one should live.Pray and let God handle it. By allowing the ongoing negative comments to be posted regarding this issue; it's only fueling the fire; maybe in hopes of proving yourself to be right Katy by others agreeing with you.Maybe it's time to let it go, and move forward with another post. We are to encourage one another. Your sister in Christ, Rose

Hello Rose. :)I haven't posted again because I have been busy. Not because I am hoping people linger on this post and comments and "fuel the fire". I am not in any way trying to prove I am right and have others agree with me. I just haven't had a chance to do another post and "move on". Again...as I said previously, I post all comments because when I don't~ I get accused of only allowing certain ones through...then people get angry with me. I post all comments except spam (and of course I wouldn't post anything with profanity but that hasn't happened yet anyway).

Rose, speaking out against sin is not wrong. The "judge not" that anon. quoted from scripture must be seen in proper context. We are to judge with righteous judgment.

I have loved ones who are feminists. I love them. I don't fight with them nor do I get in their faces. But their way of living is wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with stating that in my blog. My problem with anon.'s comment is that she assumed things that I never said.

And...the drama continues with another post Friday, October 27th with Thoughts. It seems that one has many excuses and feels the need to justify oneself.". but honestly, I do not read every blog of everyone who comments here." " I haven't posted again because I have been busy." But...not too busy to keep "fueling the fire" with your self righteous comments. As a keeper of the home it's a waste of the Husbands time and money to have his wife constantly preoccupied in the affairs of anothers business.It takes precious time away from being the Godly wife and Mother that God calls a woman to be. Prayers 4 You!

I closed comments on my most recent post because I didn't want continued drama. And yet...knowing that, you still find ways to hurt. If you continue to visit here with your unkindness and also doing so under the cloak of secrecy, your comments will no longer be published. If you will notice, there was no drama until you began some.

And you are correct in that one should not be preoccupied in the affairs of another's business, I trust you have no care to know about mine anymore...no longer choosing to bother to read about my "self righteousness". I hope you took the time to at least click on the links to the proper context of *judge not*...as twisting scripture and misusing it is blasphemy.

Katy - I have read your blog for many years and, beings I'm not a particularly religious person, have enjoyed learning from your point of view. And, it is exactly that, YOUR point of view. YOUR blog. I will never understand why people feel the need to argue with the author of a blog when reading a blog is a completely voluntary thing. Don't like what you read, either move on or, if you must, leave a respectful comment stating your view in a tactful way but no need to drag it on and on. Especially when you hide behind Anonymous. While I work outside of the home I don't feel you would ever judge me for it as you strike me as very good hearted and non-judgemental. I have started taking to practice some of your shared views on treating your husband like a king and focusing more of my attention on him and I do think it has made a noticeable difference in our relationships. We are both happier. Thank you for sharing your views and your life as it has made a difference in mine! -Stacey

I've been away from blogging for so long - an entire season! But, I'm back now and am enjoying "catching up with you" via your blog. I am looking forward to visiting your blog and posting on my own more regularly.

The autumn photos you've posted are utterly beautiful. Autumn is my most favorite time of year and Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday ... maybe that is because it is in the autumn :-)Blessings to you and your lovely family,Mrs.B

I love your blog. Please don't stop or change anything, there will always be someone who feels the need to hurt others. Please know that your blog brings much peace and joy to your sisters in Christ and you are certainly doing His work!

Hi Miriam! Thanks for your kind comments. I won't stop blogging at the moment...I plan to continue. It's difficult when you get back lash though! Definitely makes oneself question why I even put it all out there! It makes one quite vulnerable!!

Just an FYI ~ I love your name. If the Lord had given us two more girls after Madelyn I wanted their names to be Meredith and Miriam! I wasn't trying to focus on M names but I just love those names for some reason! :)

Well I guess I missed out on the controversy I think you are a Godly woman, wife and mother and give a good example of all of those roles! I am very old-fashioned and would never have had a job unless my husband got laid-off and luckily he never did! Andrea

I agree that women should raise their children and care for their Husband and homes.As history(war area) will prove women had no choice but work to provide for their children while the Husband was at war. Many women today have no choice but work to provide for their children due to circumstances beyond their control. I believe that the widows and orphans of today are the single moms. Isaiah 54:5,Psalm 68:5. It's exhausting being both provider (working 12hr + night shifts/nurse working 6 nights per week with 2hrs sleep per day in 24hrs),being the caregiver,homemaker,and homeschooler. With prayer and faith God gives strength to endure, Phillippians 4:13. Be thankful, 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Don't judge, Matthew 7:1-5,1, and strive to live a 1 Thessalonians 4:11 life. If and when I have time to read a christian blog; my hope is to find encouragement and inspiration. I find that the only true comfort is the bible. Love the beauty of Autumn. Thank you Katy for the photos of the beautiful Autumn leaves. Blessings,-Hannah

Yes, that isn't under question here at all. The issue was about feminist beliefs/attitudes being wrong...and it was just a small mention about it. I didn't mention anything about women working. I agree that sometimes women have to work because the circumstances are necessary for it.

The verses you quoted are wonderful...but each must be taken in context and not used in and of itself without its meaning! :) True comfort is definitely, as you say, in the Bible! :)

Thank you for correcting me. Would you consider yourself a Proverbs 31 woman, or a Titus 2 woman? The debate in question seems to have been about FEMINISTS that you had mentioned in your post. So...if a woman works, and wears pants one would consider her a feminist? If that is so then why do you supposedly work teaching spin class, and have posted photos of yourself wearing pants in prior posts? Most of the writings/thinking regarding women about how they should dress and act was from the old testament. It's 2017 and certain christian members of society are still practicing biblical legalism. I understand that God should be first,that a woman should dress with modesty and care for her family. One unmistakable sign of a legalistic spirit is the tendency always to be looking for what’s wrong in other people’s lives in order to judge them, instead of looking for what’s right in order to encourage them. . . .

Legalists feel good when they can identify another person’s errors. It reinforces their feelings of superiority. They actually think themselves more spiritual, more godly, and more favored and loved by God. It's not mine or anyone else s business how a woman should or shouldn't be. We are only responsible to God for what he has given us. We should lead by example, not hammer ones views unto another. God will deal with each one in his time. Just my thoughts.No need to respond as I am a busy christian woman/Mom.-Hannah

Hello :) Oh my no! I don't think a feminist is a woman who works or wears pants at all. I never said such a thing...so I am not sure where you are getting that from? I see you don't plan on coming back to read this but I am shocked that you are assuming what I meant...when I never mentioned anything about a women working nor wearing pants. I definitely do not have a legalistic spirit. I did at one time in my Christian life....but not now. I hope you do come back and realize that you are totally assuming incorrectly.

A feminist is someone who puts herself above everyone else. She has no desire to serve her husband. It's an attitude of "woman first". It's women who throw God's design/roles for women under the bus and seek to be the leaders of their homes. They are not submissive and refuse biblical roles.

Katy, I feel that you judged no one in this post or any post that you write. You are a very special lady in these days as most women are not willing to be submissive to their husbands. I am afraid that I fall into that category at times. Although, I do many things for him and I make sure that he has food, clean clothes, etc. I don't like the word submissive as we disagree on many things and I can't go against my beliefs. Being raised in church myself and he was not, makes for a big difference in times as to how life needs to be.

Katy, First of all, thank you for your very inspiring blog! I am a 57 year old Christian woman who looks up to you. Because you are perfect and always say everything perfectly? (although I know your heart and agree with you:)No, the reason I look up to you is because you are a beautiful picture of a woman who is striving to BE who God has called us to be. Any one can quote scripture, but living out the life is a whole other thing. By reading your Blog, I am inspired to BE better also! Please pay NO attention to the anon. distractions from your calling to be the best wife and mom that there is and in due time, God will vindicate you! God Bless, Wife, mom, grandma, Sue

Sue, Your words are such an encouragement to me...thank you! Please know though how *far* I am from being the woman the Lord wants me to be. I fall so, so short...often. I am *so* grateful for Jesus's perfection in my place. Without Him, I would have no hope! I am most certainly striving though! Thank you for your healing words. I truly appreciate it. :)

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